And even though Jesus was God’s Son, he had to learn from experience what it was like to obey when obeying meant suffering.
Hebrews 5:8 (TLB)
If Jesus, who was God’s perfect Son, had hard lessons to learn through obedience then we shouldn’t be surprised when we find it hard to do the right thing.
I’m writing this during the season of Lent. Part of Lent is making sacrifices. Essentially, we’re asked to join in Jesus’s sufferings.
Whether you give up something or choose to do something positive during Lent, it likely includes sacrifice…giving up some of your time, denying yourself in some way, parting with a portion of your money, sharing your talents to help another, etc.
Jesus was asked to obey God’s plan which meant He would go to the cross for our sins. His obedience required His suffering.
Although we’ll never be asked to do what Jesus did, we are faced with the question, “Are you willing to obey even if it means suffering?”
You’ve come to this site because you know the importance of integrating your faith and your fitness. How we approach the care for our bodies must be directed by the Lord. All too often we succumb to the influence of others instead of relying on the Lord to guide our fitness plans. There are an abundance of Scripture passages that guide us on how to care for our bodies.
I spent years allowing others to influence my health and fitness plans while also searching God’s Word for guidance. I knew there had to be a better way. I knew there had to be a way to care for my body that gave me peace and freedom instead of frustration and shame.
Eventually, I chose to do what, at the time, felt like a very difficult thing to do. I stepped out in faith and started trusting the Lord with my fitness. I ditched the scale. I stopped scrolling for a new diet plan. I ignored the magazines at the checkout line. I decided to obey God’s Word and allow it to become the fitness influence in my life. As a result, I learned how to honor God by honoring my body in the way He created it. Through obedience, I learned to live fit and free. You can live fit and free too!
Is there an area in your life that you have not fully surrendered to the Lord?
Are you holding tightly to something instead of offering it to Jesus?
Have you struggled to obey the Lord about something? That might be the place to start when you consider how you’ll join in the Lord’s sufferings, whether it’s during the season of Lent or simply in your day-to-day life.
Will you obey even when it’s hard?
Will you choose God’s way instead of man’s?
I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful that Jesus obeyed even when it meant suffering. Had He not, where would you and I be?
We were rewarded with new life when Jesus chose to obey. When you choose to obey today, no matter the cost, He’ll reward you beyond your comprehension.
Action Step
Consider the suffering of Jesus. He’ll never ask of us anything that He will not equip us for. What is He asking of you? Will you obey so that you can experience the full life He has planned for you?
